Fault recovery strategy for urban distribution networks using soft open points

In recent years, the frequent occurrence of natural disasters has seriously threatened the security and stability of distribution networks. Amidst these natural disasters, researchers have increasingly focused on ensuring fault recovery in distribution networks. Soft open points (SOPs) are new types of power electronic devices that can effectively recover faults in distribution networks. When a fault occurs, SOPs can quickly block and isolate fault short-circuit current, provide power access to non-fault areas, and optimise the power flow of distribution networks. Based on the critical role of distributed generation (DG) power supply in fault recovery, this study proposes a method that leverages the synergistic capabilities of SOPs and DG to recover faults in distribution networks. By employing a binary particle swarm optimisation algorithm, this method effectively improves load recovery, reduces the number of switching operations, and minimises network loss. The proposed method was simulated and verified using the IEEE 33-node and 99-node systems. © 2024 The Authors. Energy Conversion and Economics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Institution of Engineering and Technology and the State Grid Economic & Technological Research Institute Co., Ltd.